New scheme to provide Care Leavers with a strong start to adult life

A new scheme for Care Leavers will provide them with a strong start in adult life.

Sheffield is paving the way for opportunities which will benefit care-experienced young people.

To support Care Leavers, Sheffield City Council have introduced a scheme as a next step in our Community Parenting initiative; a term used in law to describe the collective responsibility of everyone within an organisation to provide care for and support children in our care – as well as our care leavers - and ensure they have every opportunity to reach their full potential.

The scheme, which was approved at Finance and Performance Committee this week and which will launch from 1 April 2025, ensures that care leavers are no longer responsible or liable for council tax while under the Council’s care which will ease financial pressures as they step into adult life.

Exempting care leavers from Council Tax is an excellent step towards meeting the commitments outlined in the Community Parenting Strategy in a way that will meaningfully improve the lives of care leavers.

As part of the initial stages of our Community Parenting initiative, in December last year, the Strategy and Resources Committee passed a motion for ‘Care Leaver’ to be recognised as a protected characteristic within the Council.

Cllr Zahira Naz, Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee, said:

“Sheffield is a city where everyone belongs no matter what their background and a place where everyone can build a successful future.

“This proposed approach will support young care leavers aspirations, growing independence and ability to deal with new financial responsibilities.”

Cllr Dawn Dale, Chair of the Education, Children and Families Committee, said:

“Sheffield is at the forefront of supporting care-experienced young people.

“A scheme like this demonstrates our commitment to the Community Parenting initiative.

“Likewise, it also ensures care-experienced young people in Sheffield feel their wellbeing is supported and they are part of a caring community.”